I feel quite invincible

IT amazes me how the children all have the same diagnosis but are completely different in personality.

While all three struggle with socialising, my son Leo is more outgoing than his twin sister Penelope, who battles with anxiety.

Leo loves to jump up and down and gets really excited sometimes.

He’s got a real passion for maths and has always loved toy cars, planes and trains.

Although my husband struggled with the children’s diagnoses at first, he and Leo have a special bond. I think it comes from their mutual love of cars. One of the best things to come from my husband’s career is his gig on Top Gear.

And the girls love him so much, too. I’m so pleased that they’re going to have a dad there for first dates and parents’ evenings. He’s a good role model. I never had that bond with my father.

Leo’s meltdowns were at their worst during the lockdowns. He started lashing out – I know he’d never want to hurt us, but it’s an outburst they can’t control.

And Leo’s behaviour wasn’t the only problem we had to endure.

Penelope told us she didn’t want to live any more and asked about going to heaven – my seven-year-old daughter crying in my arms every night saying she doesn’t want to live. It was heartbreaking.

Then there’s my whirlwind, Felicity. She’s a full-on personality.

She can be very social and confident, but she’s selective with who she’s with.

People often ask how I cope with it all: I just don’t know any different.

Because of everything I’ve dealt with, I do feel quite invincible.

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